We’re supporting young people into employment through the Kickstart Scheme

We are offering four work placements as part of the Government’s national Kickstart Scheme.

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit and who are at risk of long-term unemployment.

The scheme has been created to support them in finding employment. This is done by giving them work placement opportunities so they can gain work experience, learn new skills, and improve their long-term employment prospects.

We have successfully gained HMRC approval to bid for funding for four placements as part of the scheme which will last six months. The funding available for each placement covers the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours per week.

Our Head of Learning Development Lisa Robertson said we work with our broker, the Colebridge Trust, who refer applications to us after working with the Job Centre to identify potential candidates who fit criteria for our work placements.

She said: “We have recruited two posts already – one in the Grounds Maintenance team, who started working with us December 1 and one placement within the Learning and Development Team who will be starting with us in the New Year.

“The two other placements are in the Estates Team doing administration work and one in the Customer Service Team.

“They are six-month placements working 25 hours per week. The scheme is currently in place until end March 2022 so individuals must start with us prior to this date.”

Lisa said those who are selected will also gain employment support and receive help with CV building from the Colebridge Trust.

She added: “The Kickstart Scheme was introduced earlier this year. The work placement funding has just been extended from 31st December 2021 to end March 2022. It may end then or the Government may choose to extend it, no announcement has been made yet.

“It is important to support young people from our communities who are at risk of long-term unemployment to gain work experience and to give experience to those that wouldn’t usually get it.

“The placements provide a gateway into our apprenticeship scheme and other job roles at Citizen. Providing these opportunities for young people in our communities demonstrates our ongoing commitment to being a responsible employer.”

Find out more about the Kickstart scheme here and visit our jobs section of the website here.

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